With the sighting of the new moon
the Islamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram, is
a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred'
and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy
Quraan. Almighty Allah states in the
Holy Quraan:

"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah,
Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."

From out of the four sacred months,
Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-

The Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:

"The best of fasts besides
the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."

(Muslim)

In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn
Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive
the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."

The tenth day of this sacred month
is known as Aashora. It is one of the most important and blessed
days of Allah in the Islamic calendar. Some Ulama (scholars) are
of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory,
the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.

This is stated in a Hadeeth reported
by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):

"that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the
fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast
and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."

(Bukhari)

But,
nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast
this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:"This fast is a compensation
for the (minor) sins of the past year."

(Muslim)

One
should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed
from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu)
said:

"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to
fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the
Jews and Christians.' Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The
coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on
the ninth (also)."

(Muslim)

These
Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of
Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she
should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
said:

"Observe the fast of Aashora
and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."

(Baihaqi)

Hence,
it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth
and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora
is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family
and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
said:

"One who generously
spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision)
for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

These
are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according
to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah
(Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us
of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight
Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.